Joan Weisman

Joan (Stein) Weisman came to Israel in August 1972 and two weeks later started teaching. She lived in Jerusalem but traveled to Kiryat Malachi to work in two elementary schools. After four years of working in Achim and Eli Cohen Schools and feeling that she was a soldier-teacher, she then worked in Agron School in Jerusalem. At this stage she wanted to leave teaching, and in her Sabbatical year she did a tennis coaching course at Wingate Institute, but ultimately decided to stay with the Department of Education

She then married and moved to live in Kiryat Shmona for a short period where she taught tennis at Kibbutzim Menara and Amir and also in Metulla. The Weismans later set up home in Karmiel, and Joan taught in the Horowitz High School for 15 very happy years. Her two daughters had wonderful years of growing up in the city. Wanting to “leave teaching while I was still enjoying my work”, Joan decided to take early pension. She then began working for the UJIA in Karmiel. For three years she was the volunteer coordinator for the gap year program as well as the aliyah person for new immigrants to the local absorption center. She also wrote grant requests for people who needed assistance from the UJIA Funds. Joan then taught English in a program for gifted children from the Arab and Druze sectors at the Ort Braude College in Karmiel.

ESRA initiated this Ethiopian dance group several yearsmore ... ago. It was based on the rationale that “there is no present without a past” and it would be good for young Ethiopian girls to learn their wonderful heritage. At this year's end-of-year party ESRA received many hearfelt "thank you"s from the girls in the group.Close

At the 2010 Volunteer Awards Event Merle Guttmann,more ... ESRA’s Founder and President, spoke with high respect for volunteers and their abilities and achievements. 10 outstanding volunteers received awards at the Raanana Arts Center presented by ESRA co-chairs Nina Zuck and Adele Hunter Close

The ESRA Social club for youth with cerebral palsymore ... recently celebrated 10 years by putting on a photographic exhibition. With the help of students who volunteer at the club and student photographers, the members of the club told their stories which were published in a booklet and their photos put on display. The club meets weekly in the Kfar Shmaryahu community center.Close

Thirty Netanya residents walked on a wheelchair-friendlymore ... path alongside the Alexander River. The weather was cooperative, the hike easy and all were thrilled to see soft-shelled turtles. A picnic lunch let everyone 'mix and meet' and it was unanimously agreed to have more such enjoyable outings in the future.Close

An encouraging report on the success of this year’smore ... program of the Netanya lectures, now in operation for the last three years, which take place every two weeks at the Banai convention hall.Close

The fifth ESRA lecture series of the Netanya ESRA branchmore ... this year was exceptional and highly successful. An added bonus is that the profits from the lectures go towards ESRA’s very worthwhile projects in Netanya.Close

The Netanya lecture series is a highly successful projectmore ... with the dual purpose of giving the English speaking community in Netanya quality lectures in English as well as to help fund the activities of ESRA’s Netanya Projects. The bi-weekly lectures are held at the generously donated hall in the Yona Apartments - an ideal solution.
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When Joan Weisman retired she swore she would nevermore ... go back to teaching. But when she heard about the Woman's Courtyard, which helps empower women from ages 13 to 25, she broke her promise. Now, she confesses, "I'm on a real high!" Her students are young women who tell her their dreams and aspirationsClose

Chanukah is known for a miracle. This Chanukah willmore ... always be remembered as a miracle at the Hefziba Community Center in Netanya where ESRA hosted a party for its School of Music for Excellence on the 4th night of the festival.
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ESRA volunteers who visited Kibbutz Magal toured themore ... almond orchard and learnt about the plight of the bees. They visited the riding centre which provides joyful therapy for physically disabled youngsters between 5-18 years old. In some cases, the therapy eliminates the need for an operation. A truly stimulating experience,Close